Services

Methylmalonic Acid Analysis Service

Methylmalonic acid (MMA) is a dicarboxylic acid that is a C-methylated derivative of malonate. The coenzyme A linked form of methylmalonic acid, methylmalonyl-CoA, is converted into succinyl-CoA by methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, in a reaction that requires vitamin B12 as a cofactor. In this way, it enters the Krebs cycle, and is thus part of one of the anaplerotic reactions.

Figure 1. The methylmalonic acid metabolism.

Elevated levels of methylmalonic acid (MMA) result from inherited defects of enzymes involved in MMA metabolism or inherited or acquired deficiencies of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) or its downstream metabolites. Acquired nutritional deficiencies are much more common than inherited defects and can be due to intestinal malabsorption, impaired digestion, or poor diet. Elderly patients with cobalamin deficiency may present with peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, and loss of position and vibration senses, memory impairment, depression, and dementia in the absence of anemia. Other conditions such as renal insufficiency, hypovolemia, and bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine also contribute to the possible causes of mild methylmalonic acidemia and aciduria.

MMA is also a specific diagnostic marker for the group of disorders collectively called methylmalonic acidemia, which include at least 7 different complementation groups. Two of them (mut0 and mut-) reflect deficiencies of the apoenzyme portion of the enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. Two other disorders (CblA and CblB) are associated with abnormalities of the adenosylcobalamin synthesis pathway. CblC, CblD, and CblF deficiencies lead to impaired synthesis of both adenosyl- and methylcobalamin.

MMA concentrations in blood are measured by gas chromatographic mass spectrometry or LC-MS and the expected values of MMA in healthy people are between 73–271 nmol/L. Currently, a reliable and reproducible method using highly sensitive LC-MS platform for the rapid identification and quantification of MMA in different sample types has been established by the experienced scientists at Creative Proteomics, which can satisfy the needs of academic and industrial study in your lab.

Summary

Identification and quantification of methylmalonic acid

Report

A detailed technical report will be provided at the end of the whole project, including the experiment procedure, instrument parameters.

Analytes are reported as uM or ug/mg (tissue), and CV's are generally<10%.

The name of the analytes, abbreviation, formula, molecular weight and CAS# would also be included in the report.